Some vendors infected with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are reportedly shunning clinics because of fear of stigmatisation and discrimination from some health workers.

According to a recent report by the National AIDS Council (NAC), these informal traders are resorting to traditional herbs at bought at Mbare Musika and other informal market centres. This, however, exposes them to the risk of becoming resistant to antibiotics when they later seek anti-retroviral drugs.

“Even in urban settings such as Mbare Musika, vendors justified the use of traditional herbs on the grounds that they are often stigmatised and discriminated against if they visit health service providers,” the National Aids Council report notes.

“Their response in these circumstances is to rely heavily on local herbs and traditional medicines.”